Gas-engine.



F. rt SHWER.

GAS ENGINE.

APPLICATIQN FILED atented Nov.- 9, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Lwmm

K. SHAFFER.

GAS ENGlE.

APPLICANON FILED MAY 20i 19m.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3A F. I4. SHAFFER,

@As ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. ISIZ.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

preventing the gas from being drawn from UNTED STATES PATENT 'RED K. SHAFFER, OF SEDALA, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO THE SEAFEER M OTOR A COMPANY, OI SEDALIA, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

GAS-ENGINE speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 9, 12H5.

serial No. 698,603.

Application filed May 20. 1912.

gine, radiator and circulating connections showing the manner of application of the combined valve and pumpgFig. T is an enlarged longitudinal sectioniillustrating the mode of connecting tvvo or more valves and also showing a slight modification of 'the packing means; and Eig. 8 is a sectional view on the line .@fag Fig. 7.

rl`he numeralQ indicates the cylinder of a gas engine which is bolted to two-part crank case sl. which sustains bearings for the main shaft l haviiig connection through the usual crank 8 and pitman 6 With the piston l0. The cylinder 2 is surrounded by a Water jacket 3 and a valve casing, which is herein shown as composed of tvvo sections, 12, 14, rests upon the upper end ot' the cylinder 2 to which latteifit may be secured by the bolts 2%, or in any other usual or convenient inanner. A

The valve casing is shown as provided at its central, lovvcr portion, with a down- 1wardly extending spherical-shaped head 20 which is provided with a circular flange to rest upon the upper end ot' the cylinder 2, `as shown'best in Figs. l, 3 and 5. The valve casing is provided with a cylindrical recess Be it known that I, Fuso K. SriArrnn, a citizen ot' the United States, residing at Sedalia, in the county of Pettis and State ot Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in (las-Engines, oi' which the following-is a specification.

This invention relates to gas engines, preferably of the internal combustion type, and more particularly the invention relates to an improved valve mechanism for such engines. Some of the Jfeatures ot' the valve mechanism are also ot' more general utility. and 1na bc employed with other engines than those above referred to.

@ne of the objects of the invention is to provide in connection with a rotary valve for gas and other engines, an improved construction and arrangement whereby the fuel gas is economically used and conserved, hy

the ca rbureter or other supply by the partial vacuum created by rotation of the valve, and its dischargcinto the exhaust passage.

Another object is to provide an improved construction ot packing strips for a rotary or other similar valve whereby the losses due to leakage are reduced to a minimum.

Another object .is to provide a valve of the type referred to which is also constructed to act as a circulating pump for the cooling liquid, thereby reducing the number of parts associated with the engine, and furnishing a reliable means to impel the circulating liquid during the operation of the engine. 'Another object of the invention is'r to provide a simple and reliable means for coupling a series of rotary valves together for use-in multiple cylinder engines. lilith these, and other important objects in View, the invention consists in the construetion and arrangement ot' parts hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the claims. l In the drawings Figure 1 shows in verticei' 'section a gas engine embodying the present improvement; F ig. 2 is an end elevationv thereof; Fig. 3 is a vertical section showing the upper portion of the cylinder, the valve casing and Valve; Fig. el is a horizontal section through the valve and its casing; Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View of the'valve casing, the valve being shown in elevation; Fig. 6 is a View showing an en extensions, and, as shovvn in F ig. 4, rings 30 are clamped between and carried by the tivo-part casing 12, 14, vvhile rings Q8 are secured to the tubular extensions 32 of the valve to rotate therewith, said rings being grooved to form racevvays for anti-friction balls, and constituting ball bearings upon which the valve rotates. At suitable points near the outer ends of the valve, annular grooves are provided to receive the packing .rings 36, `which areimmovably secured to the twopa`rt valve casing by dowel'pins 38, `Vassliown in Figs. 4 and "means to hold the packing rings against rotation Wit-h the valve. 36 may 'oe-fin one piece, l vided by diagonal cuts'as 44indicated by dotted lines in Fig.' 5, posed of any desired joined in any.. suitable mnner.- This arlwith their ends di- Valve casing istlightly clamped together, and the pins Sf'fenter the recesses` in the rings 36 a gas tight -jointis formed between the interior circumference of the valve cas- \vithin which the rotary valve 22 is i'itted.- The valvel is provided with reduced tubularrangement provides that `When the two-part.

5, or other suitable The packing lrings ing and the periphery of the packing rings, so that in order for the gas lo escape around the rings it musttrai'el along the lines oi nning contact between the valve and rings,

nich is represented by the inner surface,

and two side walls ot the rings. it is proposed. to introduce a suitable lubricant, as for example grapl'iite and oil in the proper proportions, between the recesses in the valve and the walls of the packing rings which will not only tend to reduce friet-ion, but will also aid in securing a gas tight joint between the` valve and ring. tion of the valve casing is also provided with a series of grooves which are arranged transversely of the packing rings 3G and in which are mounted packing strips 3T, and springs 40, shown as having their ends resting upon the outer walls of the recesses and their centers bearing against the strips 37, normally act to yieldingly press these strips against the valve. The ends of the strips 3T are shown, see Fig. 5, as slightly recessed at points where they lap-over and engagelthe outer 'faces of the rings 36. These recesses provide for a. certain amount of play between the ends of the strips and' the packing rings in order to compensate tor reduction of metal due to the wear on the valve and strips.l

The valve is'provi'ded with a long port 23, as shown in Figs. l and 3 which is in length slightly less than 180O ot' the c-ireuni'ference of the valve. The inlet passage it, in the easing is extended downwardly and inwardly at an inclination, and this passage coininunicates with the gas supply pipe 17 which is provided with an' abrupt bend downwardly from the upper wall ot the passage ih. as shown in, Figs. l and 3. The exhaust passage 18 is likewise toi-ined upon an inclination as shown, and has conimunication with an exhaust pipe l), which latter is pre'teil` ably flared or enlargeil. as compared with the gas supply pipe, to admit ot afin of the burnt gases. :it suitable points above. and beyond the inlet passage lo are 'formed the vent passages ll, 13% and an additional vent passagel may he. i'novided between the passage lil and the exhaust passage 18.

The purpose ot these :veral passages will be explained hereinafter.

The valve recess lil is so arraocjf-d and proportioned rclatiwly tothe'inlet and exhaust ports which are located. respectively, at theinner ends of the passages '1 t and i3, and the rotation ot' the valve so timed.

relatively to the position ol the crank that" as the valve rotates in a clockwise direction it will. startingwith tlu` parts in thc position shonn in Figs. l and niirst establish com muuication between the inlet port and the cylinder as the piston moves outwardly. Upon completion o"A the oiitvfard s'trolic.k and upon movement 'olf the. i on inwarciy for The lower seccompression the valve will -have reached a y position to cut ott the port leading into the cylinder troni the hase 20 until the compression stroke is conipleted. Upon the ignition oi' the compressed charge the piston will again move outwardly to complete the working stroke, during which time -also the port at the top of the cylinder will re! main closed. Upon the next inward Inovement of the piston the port will have reached a point to establish communication between the cylinder port and the exhaust port at the' end ot' passage 18, and thus permit the escape of the burnt gases. ln connection with the -operation of the valve the construction and arrangement Yo'i' the inlet and exhaust passages 'lil and 1S, and also the arrangement of the pipe 17, are .important. lt is well known that the efficiency otl engines of this type is materially increased it' the gases are conducted into and out of the cylinder with as little deflection as pos-4 sible, and that where the gas, particularly from the carbureter, flows through tortuous passages, or Yaround abrupt bends, the eliticiency oiz theengine isv materially reduced.

.ln order, therefore, to obtain the highest etticiency possible thr mgh a correct designing ot the passages 't'orthe gases, the walls of the inlet passage 1G are so arranged as to direct the gas i'n practically a straight line downwardly into the port. leading to the upper end ot the cylinder when the valve 22 has moved to the position for uncovering the inlet port. 'This occurs immediately after the valve has moved from the position shown in Figs. l and lot the drawings. The direction in which the spent gas flows from-the cylinder into the exhaust passage 18 is also in practically a straight, unbroken line.y by reason ot the formation of the Walls ot' the passage 1S relative to the" valve port 23. and the port at the top of the cylinder. ll'lien the valve has reached a point where the port :B2i establishes comniunication between the cylinder and the exhaust ports, the gases are discharged in practically. a sti aight, unbroken line through these ports and passages. tothe exhaust pipe 1S). The above features l. regard as highly important in engines of this type.

In a rot-ary valve of the type herein illustrated, there. is :l tendency. as the valve rotates past the ulet port. to force 'thefgas haclnvardly into the carburetor, or other source of supply. and when the valve has reached they point to cut ottl communication with the cylinder, upon l'iu'tlier rotation a partial vacuum is created which tends to draw thevgases 'troni'the supply and diS- charge thenrat a later period into the eX- hai st pipe. ln order to preventvthese unf 'le results. i. have formed the supply.

, as shown in Figs. .land 3, with' an .abript bend., er gaoseneck which acts asn iac-v trap or pocket for the gas and prevents it from being forced over into the exhaust. llvhen the valve is rotated sutticiently tov cover the cylinder port, short-ly after the leading end of the. valve port 225 passes the inlet gas port. communication with vthe atmosphere is established through the vent pipes ll and 13, which progressively breaks the partial vacuum caused by the rapid rotation of the valve. By these means great economy in the fuel consumption of the engine is secured in that it has been found that valves of this type have a tendency to draw the fuel gas out of the supply pipe and discharge it into the exhaust pipe during the compression and working-strokes of the engine.

A passage l5 which is located beyond the passage 13, is designed to establish communication between a suitable source of air pressure and the exhaust port in the valve casing immediately before the cylinder port 'of the engine is open to exhaust. By using a suitable controlling valve for the passage l5 an induced draft of air may be supplied, through a suitable timing device, to increase the velocity of the burnt gases through the exhaust passage, and thereby add to the elticiency ot the engine. it will be understood that if a valve .is used with a suitable timing device for the control of the induced draft through the passage l5, that such valve will be opened at the proper` times the cycle ot thel engine to admit air under pressure to the exhaust passaf a before the latter is in communication wrtn the outlet port at the 'and o' the cylinder'.

As shown in Fig. l, the valve Q2 is hollow and is provided interiorly with spiral ribs 3Q. or' any desirable form or construction, which adapts the valve to act as a screw pump j'or the coolinpl liquid. s shown in the longitudinal opening through the center of the spiral ribs 3l is eccentric to the axis otl the valve 22. rhis form is pret'- l erable. as the depression of the valve shell caused by the valve port would result in a reduction of the width of the l'lange on one side'ot the valve it' the longitudinal opening through the ange was concentric with the longitudinal opening through `the valve. The tubular extensipns 32, see' Fig. 6, have connection through a'running joint, with bearings i3 whichare carried by brackets 42 sustained from the water jacket 3. @ne of the bearings 43 may have connection with` the radiator JA, which in turn has conununi= cation through a pipe 4- with the circulating space inclosed by the water jacket 3, as

shown in Figs. l and C. The opposite bearing -l also has connection, through a suitable pipe or conduit, with the upper portion of the water jacket ot the valve casing, as shown. The valve may be rotated by suitable mechanism, but as herein shown movement is imparted to it through suitable sprockets 3l. T,`\vhich are carried by the sha ift l and one ot' the tubular extensions 32, respectively. and a chai 5, the gearing being in the ratio ol two to one. When the valve is rotated through the described connections it serves not only to control the admission or'l fuel to the engine. and the exhaust o'l the burnt gases in the usual manner of valves of this type, but also through the spiral flange Bl it acts to cause a circulation of the cooling liquid through the jackets of the cylinder and valve casing, and the radiator. By this construction also the liquid which is circulated by and through the valve acts to cool the latter, the spiral flange contributing to this result as it serves to conduct the heat which the valve receives from the combustion chamber opposite the recess to the interior of the valve, oppo,- site the inlet and exhaust ports, where such heat radiated to the cooling liquid. It is also a most important tact that the cool water being heavier7 will be thrown by centrifugal force outward. thereby keeping a layer or stratum ot cool water next the valve shell, while the water of higher temperature will tend to remain at the center and be forced by the pump to the radiator to be cooled. These results aid materially in reducing the tendency ot the rotary valve to become overheated.

Referring to T and S, which sho a construction to be employed in connection with multiple cylinder engines, a series ot' valves et the type above described have tubular extensions 32* whose adjacentex tremities are formed with shoulders B2b which overlap and snugly tit together in the manner shown iu 'i'. The peripherics ol the inner portions ot the extensions Si are enlarged and provided with screw threads 53 upon which an intcriorly threaded ring i281- is mounted. Suitable means to prevent rotation of this ring. on the threads 53 when the parts are assci'i'xbled is provided, which may consist of a hey pin 52 which is driven into a recess Jformed partly through the threads on the extensions 532, and the female thread in the ring 2S, said pin being A suitably secured in positionby cotter pins,

or other means. Ther-ings 25%l and 30 have formed in their adjacent surfaces ball raceways to receive anti-triction balls, and constitute therewith a ball bearing, it being understood that the ring 30a is firmly clamped between the inner walls ot' the valve casing when the parts are assembled. The inner faces ot' the adjacent valves 22, 22, are provided with shoulders to receive rings 50, and recesses in the ends of the valves inclose packing rings 3h which latter are substan' tiallv like the rings 36 shown in F ig. 5.

The rings 50 are shown asbeing secured in position by screws which are threaded suitably in Lhe ends olf Jrhe valves. Preferably, dowels in lthe 'form ol hollow sie-el pins dei() evi-vnd through lhe walls of the valve casing and ab heir inner ends ener holes in the rings 'll, to hold these rings against rotalion. The rings are shown as provided with circular grooves 5l, whereby heouter portions olflhe rings are permitted. o yield slightly. and said rings thus form yielding clamps to maintain a ti ht lit with the edg's 'of the packing rings 36% The hollow pins 380 serve lo conduct a sniable lubricant as graphite mixed with a proper proportion of oil. izo the spaces between the hearing portions el the rings, and the inner walls olf the valve recesses which receive l'hc rings, as well as between the surfaces oi' the packing rings and the adjacent surfaces ol the retaining rings` 50.

, lt is believed that from lihcabove f lescription or the eonstruciion or' the several parte,

- their inode ol.t operation and ad vantagcs will be readilvv understood.

The right is reserved lo maire such changes in the lerin, proportions, and relalive arrangements ol' the parts asfailvitliin the spirit of thelollowing claims.

Having @has describel niv invention, what l claim as new and e to secure bj' Ltters Patent of the lnited kil/ales is l. A. gas engine having.y in combination, a cylinder and piston, a valve casing having inlet, exhaust and cj, inder ports, and a vent passage locatcd'between lhe inlet'-aiid et;- haust ports, a roarv valve in the casing having a recess arranged to alternately esliablish connnunieation helween the. cylinder and the inlet and exhaust ports, and to conneej, said passage. with lhe inlet', port when lhe cylinder port is closed, and fliereby pie vent di wing the lnel gas over inl'o die cxhans'c port.

2. .l gas engine havn in combination, a cylinder and pison, a valve casu g hav-V inlet.y ehausly and evlinoer ports. and rali'nv ol' vent pas. ,igea located bxllwe linlet and exhaust ports, a rotary valve in the casing having a recess arranged lo alternately establish communication between the cylinder and The inlel: and exhaust ports', said valve nor' being arranged io successively connect said passagesvwilh the inlet port when the. cylinder port is closed.y to- ]nevenl. 'the lorinalimi of a vacuum and the drawing of the fuel gas over inlo die ex, haast port. i

il. gas engine having. in combinaion, a vlinder and piston. a valve casing mounted at one end or' the lcylinder and having a perl in axial alineincut with the. cylinder, inlet and eilrvsr passages locaed respec- .eljv on opposite. sides of die evlinde` por?,

l' lined .downwardly ineen 1s' and a rearv valve in said casing having an arc-shaped peripheral recess'so arranged aste permit unobstructed flow of the gases between the said passages and the cylinder bert.

l. )r engine having, in combination, a cylinder and piston, a valve' casing mounted at one end ol' the cylinder and having a port to communicate with the cylinder, an

inlet passage located above and laterally of said port and inclined.downwardly 1n a d1- rection to conduct the gas in a straight line thereto, a supply pipe connected with said' on the cylinder and having a' port to communicate with the cylinder, an inlet pasge located above and laterally of said port and inclined downwardly in a direction 'to conduct the gas in a straight line thereto, a supply pipe connected with said passage and having a lateral bend forming with said passage a trap to retard the backward flow nl' gas d uring 'the rotation of the Valve,'an exhaust i age, a vent passage located between said inlet and exhaust passages, and a rotary valve in said casing to control'said passages.

l. ln an engine 'of the type described, the combination with a valvel casing, ofa rotary 'valve therein having a port, and peripheral grooves on opposite sides of the port, packing rings in said grooves, and means on Said casing to hold the rings ,against rotation with the valve.

7; ln an engine of the class described, the combination with a valve casing, oir' a rotary valve rho-rein having a port and rectangular i peripl al grooves on opposite sides of said pori, rectangular packing rings in said grooves having holes therein, and dowel pins carried'by the casing and arranged to enter the holes and'rctain said rings against rota- Jrien.

ln an engine of the type described, thc combination wil-h a valve casing having suitable passages. and a longitudinal groove therein, a lpacking strip in said groove, a

rotary valve in said casing having a port in said grooves, a rotary valve in said casing having a port and peripheral grooves on opposite sides of said port, packing rings in said grooves ar anged transversely ot said strips, and means for securing said rings to the casing.

10. ln an engine of the type described, the combination with a valve casing, of a plurality ot rotary valves therein having tubular stems terminating in oppositely facing, interlocking shoulders formed by removing a semicircular section from the end of each stem, and means to detachably connect said stems.

11. 1n an engine of the type described, the .combination withv a valve casing, of a plurality ot' rotary valves therein having tubular stems terminating in oppositely Jfacing, interlocking shoulders formed b v removing a semicircular section from the end of each stem, and provided exterior-ly with male threads, a, coupling ring having a female thread to engage the adjacent threads on said stems, and locking means to prevent rotation of said ring on said stems.

12. In an engine orn the type described', the combination with a two-part casing, of a plurality of rotary valves therein having stems terminating in oppositely Jfacing interlocking shoulders and provided exteriorly with male threads, a coupling ring having a female Athread to engage the adj acent threads on said stems, a ring surrounding said coupling ring, the adjacent faces of said rings having grooves to contain balls and constituting a ball bearing, and said outer ring being clamped between the members of said casing.

13. ln an engine o@ the type described, the combination 'ith a valve casinngct a plurality ot rota valves therein havincr connected stems, and peripheral recesses adjacent said Stems,packing rings in said recessdhaving holes therein, and tubular pins fixed to the casing and fitting said holes whereby said pins hold the rings against rotation and provide-,tor supplying a lubricant'to the bearing, surfaces between the rings and their recesses.

In an engine of the type described, the combination with a valve casing, of a plurality of rotary valves therein having connected stems, a ball bearing tosupport said stems at their point of connection, said valves having peripheral recesses `adjacent their stems, packing rings in said" recesses vhai/ing holes therein and tubular pins fixed to the casing and fitting said holds to hold the rings against rotation and also permit the introduction of a lubricant between the bearing surfaces of the rings and recesses.

15. 1in an engine of the class described, a valve casing, -a plurality of rotary valves therein having connected stems and peripheral recesses with open sides adjacent said stems, packing rings in said recesses, retaining' rings secured to the valves and serving to close the open sides of the recesses, and means tor securing the packing rings against rotation.

16. In an engine of the class described, a valve casing, a plurality of rotary valves therein having connected stems and periplr' eral recesses with open sides adjacent said stems, packing rings in said recesses, retaining rings having a yicldable portion to close said recesses and bear on said packing rings, and means for securing the packing rings against rotation.

17. 1n a gas engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston, a valve casing having suitable inlet and exhaust ports, a rotary hollow valve to control said ports provided interiorly opposite said ports with a. spiral flange whereby the valve may act also as a pump and the spiral flange radiate-the heatfrom the valve shell inwardly, and suitable means to connect the interior of said valve with the source of cooling liquid and the engine.

18. 1n a gas engine, a rotary hollow valve having aii`exte1'ior recess to control thc admission ot gas to the engine, and the eX- haust therefrom, and having also an interior helical rib located opposite said recess and acting as a pump and also to radigine and its exhaust from the engine, a

spiral 'flange in said'valve located opposite said'port, whereby thevalve may act as a. pump and said iiange radiate the heat inwardly, and suitable pipe connections with said stems to conduct the cooling liquid through the valve.

20. 1n a multi-cylinder, internal combustion engine, the combination with' one cylindex' thereof, and a rotary valve having only one distributing chamber therein, of a valve casing having a gas admission port, a combustion chamber port connected with the cylinder, an exhaust port, and a scavenging port connected to the atmosphere controlled by the valve, said gas admission port and said scavenging port being adapted to be connected together by said chamber .during part ot the time when said combustion chamber port is closed by the valve.

21. The combination ot an engine cylin- 22. In an internal combustion engine, the vIn testimony whereof I aix my sigma- 'combnation' with acylinder having a port, ture'n. presence of two Witnesses.

of a ,Das 1 nt1 ifm Qhaustl a @C Ssegl mlye l FRED `i SHAFFER. membr {p1- comrolhngvcommumcatlon between lntake, exhaust and cylinder, and 57i leSses:

means for preventmg the. dehvery by the YV. E. SCHQENBORN,

Valve Gigas to the exhaust, v H. P. ROBERTS. 

